Week 10 Fantasy Football Preview5 min read

I know, I know, I didn’t do my fantasy blog for weeks 8 and 9. For all you award winning readers out there, I am deeply sorry. The Cubs playoff run had my undivided attention.

Anyways, we’re heading into week 10 of the NFL season. This is truly make it or break it time for fantasy owners. The trade deadline for several of my leagues is this Saturday. If you are on the cusp of making the playoffs then it may be in your best interest to work out a trade. Here are a few trade scenarios:

You have a lot of points sitting on your bench, but your starting WRs/RBs are weak. Try to trade 2 or even 3 of the guys you aren’t using to try and trade up for a ‘stud’. My trade mantra is that even if it seems like you’re giving up more than what you’re getting, if you get the best player in the trade, then it was a successful one.

You have really good WRs, but have jack sh*t for running backs. Trade one of your good WRs either straight up for an equal RB, OR, if your RB corps are really decimated then trade 1 WR for 2 RBs. A good way to find a worthy trading partner is to look through the teams in your league to see who needs what you have.

If you have multiple stud QBs sitting on your roster, try to get rid of one or both of them. The QB position is very deep this year, so even if you trade your one stud QB (Ryan, Luck, Brady, Rodgers) and get a starting RB or WR in return, it was a good trade. Streaming QBs is a very doable task this season; just look at the available QBs and play the one with the best matchup.

Buy low, sell high. If you have a player that usually ends his year on the IR, or has some tough matchups on the horizon, try to sell him while his value is the highest. A prime example would be trying to sell Marvin Jones after he exploded during the first three weeks of the season. He has regressed significantly back to his usual career stats. If you sold him right after he went off you probably could have gotten a proven stud in return. Buying low is just the opposite. When you see a stud struggling, such as OBJ earlier this season, you should try and take advantage of the panicked fantasy owner and low ball him. They may know what you’re up to, but it’s worth a shot.

Hanks’s Hot Starts

These are QBs that aren’t owned in too many leagues with solid matchups. They are listed in order of preference.

Smokin’ Jay Cutler’s Bears vs. the Bucs

280 yards 3 TDs, 1 int.

Trevor Siemian’s Bucking Broncos vs. the Saints

310 yards, 3 TDs, 1 int.

Alex Smith’s Chiefs vs. the Carolina Panthers

340 yards, 2 TDs

The Red Rifle’s Bengals vs. the Giants

300 yards, 3 TDs, 1 int.

Carson Wentz’s Birds of War vs. the Falcons

350 yards, 1 TD, 1 Int.

Defenses Primed for Success

These defenses are playing sub-par to downright bad offenses. Look to stream these defenses if you don’t have a consistent one on your roster.

LA Rams at the New York Jets

Both of these defenses are startable this week. This has the potential to be one of the worst offensive matchups since the Browns played… well, anyone. There should be multiple picks, fumbles and sacks in this one. Pick the right play and you might even get a defensive TD! I would go with the RAMS if they’re available in your league.

San Diego Chargers vs. the Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have been a turnover-riddled team this year. The Chargers defense has been trending upwards and has put together a few good games in a row. Look for them to feast on the ditzy QB play of Ryan “used to be a WR” Tannehill. He does have a smokeshow wife though.

Boy I would love to be that fish

The Injury Bug (QB, RB, WR, TE)

Tony Romo – QB Dallas Boys

Bromo is healthy and has returned to practice. However, there is still a DAK in his way. The Cowboys will continue riding Dak until he gives them reason not to. Dak owners in deeper leagues should consider adding Romo as insurance if Dak ends up getting benched.

Doug Martin – RB Buccaneers

Dougy fresh is FINALLY practicing again. While he has not officially been ruled to play this weekend, it sounds like he will be on the field as he said he is “hopeful” that he will return. Monitor his status into the weekend. I have him in a few leagues and will probably roll him out there if he plays. The Bucs have a juicy matchup this weekend against da Bears.

Todd Gurley – RB LA Rams

Gurley has missed practice all week with some sort of thigh wound. He needs to suit up and get some practice reps in Friday to have a legitimate shot of playing Sunday against the Jets.

Carlos Hyde – RB 49ers

Carlos has missed the niners’ last two games with a shoulder injury. He has a positive outlook for this weekend’s game against the Cardinals as he said that “things are going in the right direction”. Obviously this means that he’s not 100% yet, but it seems like he is trending in the right direction and will likely suit up on Sunday. Fantasy owners should monitor his status into the weekend and should add Hyde’s backup DuJuan Harris.

Jarvis Landry – WR Miami Dolphins

Jarvis’ injury status is currently listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury. He left Wednesday’s practice because he just “didn’t feel right”. I’m not sure if he just had a case of the ‘Wednesdays’ or if this is legitimate cause for concern. Fantasy owners should monitor his status into the weekend.

Good luck this week. Be sure to follow Let Me B-Frank on Twitter and Facebook.